Sterile washing method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WASHING MATERIALS SUSPENDED IN A LIQUID WHILE MAINTAINING THE LIQUID, MATERIALS AND INTERIOR OF THE APPARATUS IN A STERILE CONDITION. STERILE AIR ENTRAPPED IN A CENTRIFUGE IS DISPLACED INTO A FIRST STERILE, COLLAPSED FLEXIBLE POUCH FOR STORAGE AND THEN SUBSEQUENTLY USED TO FORCE PORCESSED BLOOD CELL IN LIQUID SUSPENSION FROM THE CENTRIFUGE INTO A SECOND STERILE, COLLAPSED FLEXIBLE POUCH. THE NEED FOR PURIFYING NITROGEN AND CONTROLLING ITS   PRESSURE TO EFFECT THE NECESSARY LIQUID DISPLACEMENTS IN THE APPARATUS IS ELIMINATED AND THE TRANSFER OF LIQUID WITHIN THE SYSTEM MAY BE ACCOMPLISHED WHILE THE SYSTEM IS BEING MOVED FROM ONE AREA TO ANOTHER.



